MSC Armonia is a Lirica-class cruise ship owned and operated by MSC Cruises. Originally built in 2001 for, the now defunct, Festival Cruises as MS European Vision, she has been operating for MSC Cruises since 2004. At 58,600 gross tons, she can accommodate 2,065 passengers in 783 cabins and 760 crew members.[3]

MSC Armonia
MSC Armonia in Valletta, 2015
History
Panama
Name
  • 2001–2004: European Vision
  • 2004 onwards: MSC Armonia
Owner
Operator
  • 2001–2004: Festival Cruises
  • 2004 onwards: MSC Cruises[1]
Port of registry
Builder
Yard numberV31[1]
Launched1 December 2000[1]
Christened22 June 2001[1]
Acquired22 June 2001[1]
In service1 July 2001[1]
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics (as European Vision)[1]
Class and typeLirica-class cruise ship
Tonnage
Length251.25 m (824 ft 4 in)
Beam28.8 m (94 ft 6 in)
Height54 m (177 ft 2 in)
Draught6.8 m (22 ft 4 in)
Installed power
Speed20.8 knots (38.5 km/h; 23.9 mph)
Capacity2,679 passengers
General characteristics (as MSC Armonia)[2]
Class and typeLirica-class cruise ship
Tonnage
  • 58,625 GT
  • 65,542 GT (after renovation)
Length
  • 251.25 m (824.3 ft)
  • 274.9 m (902 ft) (after renovation)
Beam
  • 28.8 m (94 ft)
  • 32 m (105 ft) (after renovation)
Height54 m (177 ft)
Draught6.8 m (22 ft 4 in)
Depth6.6 m (22 ft)
Decks
  • 9 (passenger accessible)
  • 13 (total)
Speed21.1 knots (39.1 km/h; 24.3 mph)
Capacity
  • 1,554 passengers (lower berths)
  • 2,087 passengers (all berths)
  • 2,679 passengers (after renovation)
Crew721
NotesOtherwise the same as European Vision

History

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MSC Armonia as European Vision at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 2003

As European Vision

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As European Vision, she was chartered for the 27th G8 summit (20–22 July 2001) in Genoa, Italy as a secure location to house world leaders. Terrorism fears were high leading up to the 11 September attacks on the World Trade Centre. Al Qaeda was believed to be considering Genoa as a target.[4] Although the ship was protected by a phalanx of anti-terrorism units including helicopters and missile launchers, U.S. President George W. Bush stayed at a dockside hotel instead.[5]

As MSC Armonia

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MSC Armonia has cruised around the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Atlantic. On 10 April 2018, MSC Armonia struck a dock at the port in Roatán.[6] Damage to the ship was minor. After repairs were made to the ship, Honduran Port State Control authorities cleared the ship to continue her journey to Belize.[6] No injuries to the passengers and crew on board were reported.[6] The ships' homeport was in Havana until December 2018. She was re-located to Miami, offering cruises to Cuba and, later, to the Caribbean.[7] In November 2020, she was moved to Tampa, Florida as homeport for the first time and sailed to the Caribbean.[8]

COVID-19 pandemic

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC reported as early as 22 April 2020, that at least one person who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, was symptomatic while on board.[9]

The COVID-19 pandemic forced fleet redeployments and MSC Armonia was moved to Miami and continued sailing from there through 2021.[10][11]

On 15 December 2023, a passenger fell overboard and was never found.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Asklander, Micke. "M/S European Vision (2001)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  2. ^ a b "MSC Armonia: Ship Facts". MSC Cruises. Retrieved 7 April 2008.
  3. ^ "MSC Armonia Ship Stats & Information- MSC Cruises MSC Armonia Cruises: Travel Weekly". www.travelweekly.com. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  4. ^ Carroll, Rory (15 July 2001). "Genoa defends forbidden city from global protest". The Observer. Retrieved 2 December 2007.
  5. ^ "Mayhem, fatality surround G-8 summit". St. Petersburg Times. 21 July 2001. Retrieved 2 December 2007.[dead link]
  6. ^ a b c Trejos, Nancy (11 April 2018). "WATCH: MSC Armonia cruise ship crashes into a dock in Roatan". USA Today.
  7. ^ Stieghorst, Tim (9 July 2019). "Despite loss of Cuba calls, MSC Armonia remaining in Miami: Travel Weekly". www.travelweekly.com. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  8. ^ "MSC Armonia to Homeport in Tampa". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  9. ^ "COVID-19 and Your Health". 11 February 2020. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020.
  10. ^ "MSC Announces Winter Program; New Protocols Onboard". Cruise Industry News. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  11. ^ "MSC alters 2021 cruise plans". Travel Weekly. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  12. ^ Walker, Jim (15 December 2023). "Passenger Goes Overboard From the MSC Armonia During Transatlantic Cruise to Brazil". Cruise Law News.
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